Modular interface for pantry temperature control

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a drawer within the refrigerator compartment, a cover on a top of the drawer, a plurality of apertures in the cover, and controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is further configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerators and the manufacturing thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to refrigerators with drawers configured for manual or electronic temperature control.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators may have multiple enclosed spaces in the form of compartments or drawers. Where drawers are present, in the refrigerator, it may be desirable to allow a user of the refrigerator to separately control temperature of the drawer. Yet there are problems in manufacturing such refrigerators.

One of the problems associated with manufacturing such refrigerators relates to the desire to provide for standardization of parts across different platforms. For example, refrigerators with a refrigerator drawer with a manual temperature control will use significantly different parts then a refrigerator with an electronic temperature control. What is needed is a refrigerator and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator which allow for standardization of component parts associated with an interface for pantry temperature control regardless of whether manual or electronic temperature control is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a refrigerator with a pantry drawer with separate temperature control.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a pantry drawer which may be configured for either electronic or manual temperature control.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide for standardization of parts across different platforms for refrigerators.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide for manufacturing refrigerators with drawers with different types of temperature controls in a manner that is cost effective and efficient.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the Specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need meet all of these objects, features, or advantages and different embodiments may meet different objects, features, or advantages. The present invention is not to be limited by or to these objects, features, or advantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a drawer within the refrigerator compartment, a cover on a top of the drawer, a plurality of apertures in the cover, and controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is further configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a refrigerator is provided. The method includes determining if a pantry of the refrigerator is to provide manual controls or electronic controls and providing a top cover for the pantry. If the pantry of the refrigerator is to provide the manual controls, the method provides for snapping the top cover to a manual control housing. If the pantry of the refrigerator is to provide the electronic controls, the method further provides for attaching the top cover between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a plurality of refrigerators, each having a pantry drawer disposed within a refrigerator compartment. The method includes providing a top cover for each of the pantry drawers, the top cover having a plurality of apertures therein including a receiver opening and through holes on opposite sides of the receiver opening. For a first subset of the plurality of refrigerators, the method further provides for assembling each of the first subset of the plurality of refrigerators by snapping the top cover to a manual control housing. For a second subset of the plurality of refrigerators, the method provides for assembling each of the second subset of the plurality of refrigerators by attaching the top cover between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned objects, feature, or advantages of this invention, and the methods of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a French door refrigerator with a bottom-mount freezer with a pantry drawer.

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of a pantry drawer with a manual temperature control.

FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the pantry drawer with a manual temperature control with the drawer extended outwardly.

FIG. 4 is an isolated and exploded view of a pantry drawer top where manual temperature control is provided.

FIG. 5 is an isolated and assembled view of the pantry drawer top cover where manual temperature control is provided.

FIG. 6 is an isolated and exploded view of a pantry drawer top cover where electronic temperature control is provided.

FIG. 7 is an isolated and assembled view of the pantry drawer top cover where electronic temperature control is provided.

FIG. 8 illustrates one example of a screen display associated with the electronic temperature control.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of a method for manufacturing refrigerators which may include either manual or electronic temperature control for a drawer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator 10. The refrigerator 10 has a refrigerator cabinet 12. There is a fresh food or refrigerator compartment 14 positioned above a freezer compartment with a freezer drawer 18 providing access to the freezer compartment and the French doors 16 providing access to the refrigerator compartment 14. A pantry drawer 20 is shown. The pantry drawer 20 preferably extends the full width and depth of the refrigerator compartment 14 and may have one or more dividers 21 therein for organizing contents within the pantry drawer 20. The pantry drawer 20 may have a temperature which is different from the refrigerator compartment 14 depending upon user preferences which may be based in part on the items which a user decides to store in the pantry drawer 20.

The pantry drawer 20 has a top cover 30 which extends generally along its length. In a central portion of the top cover 30, a receiver 34 is present in which user interface controls may be positioned to provide for either electronic or manual temperature control of the pantry drawer 20.

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of a pantry drawer 20 with a control housing 40 present within the receiver 34 for providing manual temperature control of the pantry drawer 30. The control housing 40 may include a slider 42 which may be moved along a linear axis to allow a user to select a temperature for the pantry drawer 30. Although a slider is shown, the present invention contemplates that other types of manual controls may be used such as knobs, selector switches, or other types of manual controls. A cold air housing 62 may be located at the back of the pantry drawer 20 to provide for circulating cold air in the direction of arrow 60 into the pantry drawer 20 in order to maintain the temperature within an acceptable range set by the user

FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the pantry drawer 20 with a manual temperature control with the drawer 20 extended outwardly. The drawer 20 has first and second opposite side walls 23, 25, a front wall 22, and an opposite back wall 24. Rails 26 may be used to allow the drawer 40 to slide to an outward position as shown in FIG. 3 from or to the inward position shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isolated and exploded view of a pantry drawer top cover 30 where a control housing 40 is provided to allow for manual temperature controls to be used. The control housing 40 includes a frame assembly 41 and a manual control assembly 42 which fits within an opening 44 of the frame assembly 41. A slide 49 or other manual user control is positioned on the control assembly. Flanges 45 may be inserted into the opening 43 on the frame assembly in order to secure the manual control assembly 42 to the frame assembly 41. The control housing 40 may be snapped to the cover 30 using a plurality of apertures 38 which extend through the top surface of the cover 30 for alignment purposes. The apertures 38 may be through holes which extend through the frame 31 of the drawer cover 30.

The frame 31 of the drawer cover 30 also has end members 33 which allow the pantry drawer top cover 30 to be connected at opposite ends such as by snap fitting in place. The pantry drawer top cover 30 may have transparent windows 32 on opposite sides of the receiver or opening 34. The transparent windows 32 allow a user of the refrigerator to see inside the pantry drawer without necessarily needing to open the pantry drawer. The receiver 34 as shown is generally centrally located in the cover 30 although, it could be otherwise placed. The manual control assembly may be inserted into the frame assembly 41 of the control housing 40 which may then be snap fit to the cover using the plurality of apertures 38 for alignment purposes such that the ends 46 of the manual control assembly 42 are aligned over the apertures or holes 38 within a recess 35 of the frame 31 and the tab 47 fits against the shoulder 37.

FIG. 5 is an isolated and assembled view of the pantry drawer top cover 30 where manual temperature control is provided. As shown here, the control housing 40 is secured in place, with the slider 49 or other manual control accessible to a user of the refrigerator.

FIG. 6 is an isolated and exploded view of a cover 30 for the top of a pantry drawer where electronic temperature control is provided. Note that the structure of the frame 31 of the pantry drawer top cover is the same as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Here, however, the manual control housing is not present and instead a user interface module 50 is provided. The user interface module 50 includes a user interface cover 56 and a user interface assembly 51 which sandwich the pantry drawer top cover 30 at the receiver 34. The user interface module 50 allows for electronic controls to be used for controlling temperature within a drawer. At top of the cover 30 of the pantry drawer, a user interface cover 56 with a tab 57 is provided. Posts 63 extend downwardly from the top cover 56. The user interface cover 56 may then fit against a gasket 59 and intro the receiver 45 with the tab 57 fitting into the shoulder 37. The posts 63 align with corresponding apertures 65 in the gasket and the apertures 38 in the cover 30. Screws or bolts 58 may extend through the user interface assembly 51 and into the posts 63 for securing the user interface cover 56 to the user interface assembly 51.

A wiring harness 55 may connect with other components such as a thermistor 107 and LED assembly 53 associated with the user interface module 50. Thus, temperature associated with the pantry drawer may be sensed at the cover 30 and illumination may be provided. In addition, the user interface cover may provide for displaying information associated with the pantry drawer such as temperature information.

FIG. 7 is an isolated and assembled view of the pantry drawer top cover 30 where electronic temperature control is provided with the user interface module 50.

FIG. 8 illustrates one example of a screen display associated with the electronic temperature control. A temperature 111 associated with the pantry drawer is shown. The user can adjust this setting such as by selecting the on-screen button 112 to decrease temperature or selecting the on-screen button 113 to increase temperature. The user may do so by touching the appropriate portion of the user interface cover 56 which protects the display or screen beneath it. The user may also select temperature or other settings based on the contents of the pantry drawer such as by selecting “Fresh Meat”, “Party”, “Deli”, or Wine” or the associated “Preset” button or screen area. Although one particular user interface is shown, it is contemplated that what is displayed and the manner in which temperature settings are made may vary widely.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of a method for manufacturing refrigerators which may include either manual or electronic temperature control for a drawer. In step 120 a top cover is provided. In step 122 a determination is made as to whether the top cover is to have electronic or manual controls. This may be based on a model number of the refrigerator being manufactured or otherwise. If the refrigerator being manufactured is to have manual user temperature controls on the drawer, then in step 126 the top cover is snapped or otherwise affixed. Then in step 128 the manufacturing process can continue with the manual control housing in place. Returning to step 122, if the refrigerator being manufactured is to have electronic temperature controls on the drawer, then in step 125 the top cover is attached between the user interface assembly and the user interface cover. Then in step 128 the manufacturing process can continue with electronic control housing in place. Regardless of whether there are electronic or manual controls on the top cover, the same top cover may be used thus efficiencies in the manufacturing process are realized.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention. For example, the present invention contemplates variations in the sizes, shapes, configurations, and inclusion or exclusion or various component parts, the manner in which parts are connected, the specific type of manual controls or the specific type of electronic controls being used. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment; a drawer within the refrigerator compartment; a cover on a top of the drawer; a plurality of apertures in the cover; controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer; wherein the cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer; wherein the cover is configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of apertures comprise a receiver opening for the controls and through holes on opposites sides of the receiver opening.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2 wherein the receiver opening is substantially centered along a length of the cover.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the receiver opening and the holes extend through a top surface of the cover.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 4 wherein the cover further comprises a first window on one side of the plurality of apertures and a second window on an opposite side of the plurality of apertures.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 5 wherein the drawer is a pantry drawer and wherein the cover is a pantry drawer top cover.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the refrigerator compartment is a fresh food compartment.
 8. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator, the method comprising: determining if a pantry of the refrigerator is to provide manual controls or electronic controls; providing a top cover for the pantry; if the pantry of the refrigerator is to provide the manual controls, snapping the top cover to a manual control housing; and if the pantry of the refrigerator is to provide the electronic controls, attaching the top cover between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the top cover comprises controls for controlling temperature within the pantry.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the top cover comprises a plurality of apertures.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of apertures comprise a receiver opening for the controls and through holes on opposite sides of the receiver opening.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiver opening is substantially centered along a length of the cover.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the receiver opening and the holes extend through a top surface of the cover.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the cover further comprises a first window on one side of the plurality of apertures and a second window on an opposite side of the plurality of apertures.
 15. A method of manufacturing a plurality of refrigerators, each having a pantry drawer disposed within a refrigerator compartment, the method comprising: providing a top cover for the pantry drawer of each of the plurality of refrigerators, the top cover having a plurality of apertures therein including a receiver opening and through holes on opposite sides of the receiver opening; for a first subset of the plurality of refrigerators, assembling each of the first subset of the plurality of refrigerators by snapping the top cover to a manual control housing; for a second subset of the plurality of refrigerators, assembling each of the second subset of the plurality of refrigerators by attaching the top cover between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the receiver opening is substantially centered along a length of the cover.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiver opening and the holes extend through a top surface of the cover.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the cover further comprises a first window on one side of the plurality of apertures and a second window on an opposite side of the plurality of apertures.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising attaching the top cover to the pantry drawer for each of the plurality of refrigerators.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising placing the pantry drawer into the refrigerator compartment for each of the plurality of refrigerators. 